Comedian Kathy Griffin Admits Donating $10K to Accused Rapist Eric Swalwell

Griffin claims she backed Swalwell's failed California governor bid because she believed only a 'freaking white, straight guy' could win.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:37pm

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A fragmented, abstract painting in shades of gray, blue, and red, depicting the silhouette of a politician in a fractured, overlapping style that conveys a sense of motion and instability.The controversial political donations of celebrities like Kathy Griffin expose the complex dynamics at play in modern elections.Riverside Today

Comedian Kathy Griffin has admitted to donating $10,000 to the failed California gubernatorial campaign of former congressman Eric Swalwell, who has been accused of rape and sexual harassment by multiple women. Griffin claims she supported Swalwell because she believed only a 'freaking white, straight guy' could win the election, despite the allegations against him.

Why it matters

This story highlights the willingness of some high-profile figures to overlook serious allegations of misconduct against political candidates in the pursuit of perceived electability. It raises questions about the role of money and celebrity endorsements in elections, as well as the broader issue of how accusations of sexual assault are handled in the political sphere.

The details

In a recent podcast, Griffin revealed that she was one of around 1,700 donors who contributed to Swalwell's ill-fated gubernatorial campaign. She claimed that she and her friends believed Swalwell, a 'freaking white, straight guy,' was the most electable candidate, despite the rumors of his problems with women. Griffin went on to criticize Swalwell's Republican challengers, former Fox News host Steven Hilton and Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, as 'crazy.'

  • Kathy Griffin made the comments on her podcast 'Talk Your Head Off' in April 2026.

The players

Kathy Griffin

A comedian who donated $10,000 to Eric Swalwell's failed California gubernatorial campaign, claiming she believed only a 'freaking white, straight guy' could win the election.

Eric Swalwell

A former congressman who ran for California governor and has been accused of rape and sexual harassment by multiple women.

Steven Hilton

A Republican candidate for California governor, described by Kathy Griffin as 'crazy.'

Chad Bianco

The Riverside Sheriff and a Republican candidate for California governor, also described by Kathy Griffin as 'crazy.'

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What they’re saying

“Until this, I was actually supporting Swalwell.”

— Kathy Griffin, Comedian

“We're in this era where only freaking white straight guys can win. And so if he's the one that's most electable, we don't want the two Republican challengers.”

— Kathy Griffin, Comedian

“This has kinda rocked our world.”

— Kathy Griffin, Comedian

The takeaway

This story highlights the troubling willingness of some influential figures to overlook serious allegations of misconduct against political candidates in the pursuit of perceived electability. It raises important questions about the role of money, celebrity endorsements, and the handling of sexual assault accusations in the political process.